We Can Win Evil Spirits

Every human being is a social animal. This is a proverb we mostly use when we study the social behaviour of human beings. We accept that the human beings are like animals but their attitude makes difference and put far away from the group of other animals. Virtually, our divine capability of using intelligence towards socialization makes us different. But all the humans are not the same. Their approach to any single issue may differ. We need to identify and make sure how that approach may happen beneficial to others.

You know Sister Alphonsa, a native of Kerala in India who has recently been canonized by the Vatican as a Saint! Canonization did not make her a saint, she was already a saintly lady. It means that she is allowed to be publicly celebrated in the Christian ceremony of liturgy. Saint Alphonsa had a difficult life full of suffering, but she never complained. She lost her mother as a baby and was brought up aunt. She burnt her feet as a youth, becoming deformed. She suffered many illnesses, and died at a young age of 36 with an agonizing tumor.

Yet she was not bitter at her misfortunes, but charitable to those in need. Although dedicated to the Christian God, she made genuine friendships with peers of other religions. Whilst in wretched pain, she offered hope of healing to people suffering around her. As a young trainee nun (a postulant) she wrote in her diary: “ I want to be careful never to reject anyone. I will only speak sweet words to others. No matter what my sufferings may be, I will never complain.” These beautiful sentiments are ideal for a harmonious life.

Christians believe that after death, a person’s soul continues to live, either in heaven (for a good person) or hell (for a bad one). Canonization is the Pope’s recognition that Saint Alphonsa is living in heaven. Yet compassion and goodness is respected by all religions. A saint-like person bears witness to her faith by honoring both gods and fellowmen. In their respect they allow people to live as they would like, acknowledging that happiness is a goal for everybody. Love is the ghee in the frying pan of society, making life more palatable.

Even the ordinary person can perform small miracles in his own life. It’s easy to forget how much you love each other when you are tired, or sick, or in a bad mood. It seems only natural to snap and growl when we don’t feel good. But that only increases our problems, because now we have our aches and a sore family. Take, for example, the neighbor’s family. The father has a reputation for welcoming newcomers to the block, showing a ready smile whatever caste or creed they are. Offering advice and help, he becomes a good friend to all who need one. The grandmother ages gracefully, smiling and not complaining, so garners sympathy and caring. People are pleased to help her out, because her feebleness does not make her disagreeable.

Joy, love and charity are balm to the spirit, allowing people to live happily together. This is true of religious communities – as within a family – which are so often set at each other’s throats by hatred. If we love each other, we cannot kill or maim. We cannot incite others to do the same. If we find joy in ordinary and simple things, we would not seek to seize the power of life and death over others. Nor would we lust after moving great crowds of people to our will.

If we are charitable, we deserve charity in return, but more than that it will enrich our soul. Those who give away the most are the wealthiest among us. Saint-like people help in their own everyday way to bind together families and communities. We cherish the small saints that we meet, and every group has their fair share of these precious people. The writings of Saint Alphonsa offer us a glimpse of what it means to be saintly, and how we can all aspire to these human ideals.

All of human beings have more or less many attributes in their character. Some people make efforts to nurture their gentle qualities whereas others do not care for them so much and their bad characteristics have been coming out very frequently. What we are to do is to identify what good qualities we have and what not. Those qualities which are missing can be groomed up in spite of all the odds like Saint Alphonsa did. We should not care for the bad habits, attributes and approaches. As soon as our good qualities exceed the bad ones, we will win the battle with demonism. Let’s try in right direction ignoring the negativism. We all have good qualities.